The Canadian Cancer Society says federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq must do more to address drug shortages across Canada. A mandatory drug reporting system would be good place to start, the society adds.
"Getting a cancer diagnosis or diagnosis of another significant illness is already stressful enough,"
Dan Demers, the society's director of national public issues, told The Canadian Press.
"To read in the newspapers that the drugs you need may not be available or to hear from your doctor that your treatment is being delayed, you really deserve the information."
The drug shortage issue has been growing, not just in Canada, but in many countries.
The problem recently worsened when Sandoz Canada had to reduce capacity at its plant in Boucherville, Que., to upgrade the facility following a complaint from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The plant, which makes 90 per cent of the injectable drugs used in Canada, had a fire during the upgrade, setting back its timetable even further.
However, on Monday, Sandoz agreed it would provide a 90-day notice warning the provinces and territories of future disruptions. The move would give these jurisdictions time to look for alternate supplies.
Following a motion by NDP MP Libby Davies, there was an emergency debate in the House of Commons Monday night on the subject of drug shortages.
Aglukkaq said that Sandoz made the decision to temporarily shut down the plant without first finding alternative drug sources for its customers.
"Sandoz has a responsibility to see that their customers are informed of anticipated shortages as soon as they become aware of the potential problem," she said in the House of Commons.
She said she wrote to the company to express her disappointment with them for not informing customers earlier.
Davies, however, said the federal government must be much more involved in the drug system.
"The federal government, as a major player, has to be involved to insure that these kinds of developments . . . (can be prevented)," she said in the House.
"If there is no system in place, if there is no involvement from the federal government, then we have a disaster on our hands."
Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae also took part in the debate, but found time to take a shot at the government over Twitter.
"Debate on drug shortages in the House - government benches are empty, reflecting their degree off concern. That is to say, nil," his post on Twitter read, shortly after he asked a question in the debate.
The cancer society suggests a number of steps for the government including a mandatory list of drugs in short supply, so the government can red flag possible shortages.
With files from The Canadian Press
